Trigger guard cushioning insert used in firearm modification

ABSTRACT

A firearm assembly includes a receiver having a trigger guard structure, and a stock structure coupled to a rear portion of the receiver. An insert is positioned between the trigger guard structure and the stock structure for ensuring a tight fit and preventing contact therebetween.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to firearms, and more specifically, pertains to a trigger guard cushioning insert which is particularly useful in adapting a replacement stock to various receiver configurations on firearms.

It may be necessary or desirable to replace the buttstock of a firearm for a variety of reasons. For example, it is common practice in tactical operations to replace the buttstock of a firearm with a replacement stock in the form of a pistol grip unit or pistol grip stock assembly. Such modification can be problematical because receivers of different types of firearms are variably configured, and replacement stocks are typically manufactured for a specific single firearm. More specifically, it is desirable that the relative disposition of the stock and the receiver meet certain design parameters with respect to “shoulder pull”, the desired distance between the buttpad and the trigger, “finger pull”, the desired distance between the trigger and the point on the stock where the web of a shooter's hand rests, and “drop”, the desired distance from the top of the receiver to the position on the stock where the shooter places his or her cheek to sight a target. Such parameters tend to vary between different types and models of firearms with the result that a stock designed to accommodate a particular type and model of the receiver generally cannot accommodate other receivers and still conform to the various desired design parameters.

As a result, adapter kits have been developed that enable a replacement stock such as a pistol grip unit or pistol grip stock assembly to be interchangeably mounted on differently configured receivers so that the mounted replacement stock and receiver continue to meet the desired design parameters described above.

One problem that arises in firearm modification utilizing these adapter kits is a creation of a gap or space between the trigger guard and the pistol grip unit or pistol grip stock assembly. Such a gap interferes with and can scratch or pinch a shooter's fingers during a firing operation. In addition, such gap can cause recoil forces and shock energy to be transferred to the shooter's hand. From an aesthetics viewpoint, this gap creates an undesirable discontinuous and unfinished look between the trigger guard and the pistol grip unit or pistol grip stock assembly.

Accordingly, there is a need for eliminating the gap that occurs between the trigger guard and the pistol grip structure during stock replacement without requiring tight manufacturing tolerances between each trigger guard and pistol pip structure. More specifically, there is a need in firearm modification for an insert that effectively fills the gap between the trigger guard and the pistol grip structure, and functions to provide comfort to the shooter's hand, cushioning of shock energy and a clean, streamlined firearm appearance following stock replacement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a firearm assembly including a receiver having a trigger guard structure, and a stock structure coupled to a rear portion of the receiver. An insert is positioned between the trigger guard structure and the stock structure for ensuring a tight fit and preventing contact therebetween.

The insert is retained on and projects beyond the stock structure. The insert is comprised of a resilient cushioning material that extends upwardly and rearwardly along the trigger guard structure. The insert has a first upwardly extending leg and a second leg extending rearwardly therefrom.

The present disclosure further relates to a firearm stock assembly adapted to be coupled to a receiver having a trigger guard structure. The stock assembly includes a pistol grip constructed with a housing portion and adapted to be coupled to the receiver. A cushioning insert is retained by the housing portion of the pistol grip, and is adapted to be positioned between the trigger guard structure and the housing portion of the pistol grip. The housing portion of the pistol grip includes a forwardly projecting first support wall and a second support wall recessed therefrom for receiving and supporting the insert. The cushioning insert projects outwardly from the housing portion of the pistol grip and extends upwardly and rearwardly along the first and second support walls. In one exemplary embodiment, the pistol grip is attached to a stock and cheek rest assembly.

The present disclosure also relates to a cushioning insert positioned between a trigger guard structure and a stock structure. The cushioning insert includes a body constructed from a resilient maternal and having a first generally vertically extending leg connected to a second generally horizontally extending leg. The first leg is engaged between a first portion of the trigger guard structure and a first portion of the stock structure, and the second leg is engaged between a first portion of the trigger guard structure and a second portion of the stock structure.

The body is retained within and projects forwardly from the stock structure. The first leg has a front surface with a contour which matches a contour of and engages a rear portion of a trigger guard included in the trigger guard structure. The first leg and the second leg have a common upper surface which engages a rear portion of a trigger guard housing extending rearwardly of the trigger guard. The body has a rear surface which is continuously curved between a bottom end of the first leg and a rear end of the second leg. The rear surface of the body has a contour which matches a contour of a recessed support wall formed in the stock structure. The body is received and supported within a projecting support wall of the stock structure that extends forwardly from the recessed support wall of the stock structure.

The present disclosure additionally contemplates a method of assembling a firearm comprising the steps of a) providing a receiver having a trigger guard structure; b) providing a stock structure having a cushioning insert retained therein; and c) coupling the receiver to the stock structure such that the insert is simultaneously positioned between the trigger guard structure and the stock structure.

In step c, the insert is engaged against a rear portion of a trigger guard of the trigger guard structure, and a bottom surface of a trigger guard housing of the trigger guard structure. Preferably the stock structure includes a pistol grip.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings illustrate the best mode presently contemplated in carrying out the disclosure. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a firearm provided with a trigger guard cushioning insert in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a pistol grip stock assembly which is coupled to a receiver of the firearm of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the cushioning insert used in the firearm of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 1 illustrating the placement of the cushioning insert between a trigger guard of the firearm and a pistol pip of the pistol pip stock assembly attached to the firearm; and

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the receiver, the cushioning insert and the pistol grip stock assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings. FIG. 1 illustrates a firearm, such as a shotgun 10, which typically includes a receiver 12, a barrel 14, a gripping forend 16, a trigger guard 18 and a trigger 20. The trigger guard 18 and trigger 20 depend from a housing 22 (as best seen in FIG. 4) which is retained within the receiver 12. Trigger guard 18 and the trigger guard housing 22 define a trigger guard structure on which trigger 20 is movably mounted. The shotgun 10 also includes a cartridge storing magazine tube 24 that extends longitudinally forward from the receiver 12 and below the barrel 14. A forward portion of the magazine tube 24 engages a barrel lug 26 and is held thereto by a magazine cap 28. In addition, the shotgun 10 is provided with a stock structure embodied in a pistol pip stock assembly 30 which is removably mounted to a rear end of the receiver 12 by means of an adapter arrangement 32. The pistol grip stock assembly 30 is typically a stock replacement for the buttstock normally provided on the firearm.

Referring to FIG. 2, the pistol grip stock assembly 30 generally includes a pistol grip 34 having a lower gripping portion 36, an intermediate housing portion 38 and an upper mounting portion 40. The upper mounting portion 40 has a front mounting face configuration 42 which is designed for coupling to the adapter arrangement 32. A stationary stock support or buffer tube 44 extends rearwardly from the mounting portion 40 of the pistol grip 34. A stock 46 is adjustably mounted for sliding movement on the buffer tube 44, and carries a buttpad assembly 48 secured to a rear end thereof. A cheek rest 50 is mounted on the stock 46 for sliding movement therewith. A lever assembly 52 is provided at the bottom of the stock 46, and is configured to engage an underside of the buffer tube 44 to establish selected positioning of the stock 46 and cheek rest 50 at different positions along the buffered tube 44.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the adapter arrangement 32 for removably coupling the receiver 12 to the pistol grip stock assembly 30 includes a first adapter 54 and a second adapter 56. A rear surface 58 of the first adapter 54 is matingly coupled and attached to the front mounting face configuration 42 on the upper mounting portion 40 of the pistol grip 34. A front surface 60 of the second adapter 56 is matingly received in and secured to a mounting face 62 at the rear end of the receiver 12. Once the adapters 54, 56 have been separately secured to the respective mounting faces 42, 62, the adapters 54, 56 are slidably joined together in a dovetail mounting arrangement and then suitably retained together. The particular adapters 54, 56 thus permit the convenient coupling of the pistol grip stock assembly 30 to the particular firearm receiver 12 so that predetermined design parameters are met as discussed in the Background of the Invention. While not illustrated in the drawings, it should be understood that the adapters 54, 56 also permit the coupling of the receiver 12 to the pistol grip 34 itself without the buffer tube 44, stock 46, buttpad assembly 48, cheek rest 50 and lever arrangement 52.

In use, it may be necessary or desirable to remove one stock from the receiver 12 and replace that stock with a different structure, such as the pistol grip stock assembly 30 or the pistol grip 34 as described above. In the course of modification, a gap or space may occur between a front portion of the pistol grip 34 and a rear portion of the trigger guard 18 and its housing 22. Such gap may cause interference and discomfort to a shooter's hand during a firing operation as well as detract from the aesthetic look of the firearm.

In order to eliminate any gap created during stock replacement, the present disclosure contemplates the provision of a cushioning insert 64 located between the pistol grip 34 and the trigger guard 18 including its housing 22. The present disclosure further contemplates incorporating the cushioning insert 64 within the pistol grip 34.

Referring to FIGS. 2-5, the cushioning insert 64 is constructed of a compressible and expandable resilient material such as foam, rubber or the like. As best seen in FIG. 3, the cushioning insert 64 is integrally formed as a body such as by molding or other suitable process with a first generally vertically or upwardly extending leg 66 and a second generally horizontally extending leg 68. The first leg has a concave front surface 70 which merges into a bulbous corner 72 and proceeds into a substantially flat upper surface 74 that is common to the first and second legs 64, 68 and extends downwardly and rearwardly at 76 on second leg 68. A continuously curved rear surface 78 extends from a bottom end 80 of the first leg 66 to a rear end 82 of the second leg 68.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, a front end on the intermediate housing portion 38 of the pistol grip 34 is constructed with a first support wall 84 projecting forwardly from the side and bottom surfaces of housing portion 38, and a second support wall 86 recessed from a front end of the support wall 84. The walls 84, 86 receive and support the cushioning insert 64 along the rear surface 78, the bottom end 80 and the rear end 82 thereof as well as along rear segments of opposed side surfaces of the leg 66, 68. Portions of the cushioning insert 64 may be fictionally retained within the wall 84 and/or may be more positively retained or fixed, if desired, such as by providing an adhesive between the rear surface 78 and the wall 86. An upper end 88 of the wall 86 is engaged against a rear end 82 of the cushioning insert 64, and a bottom portion 90 of the wall 84 is engaged with a bottom end 80 of the cushioning insert 64.

As seen in FIG. 2, the cushioning insert 64 is sized and shaped to project forwardly from and beyond the intermediate housing portion 38 of the pistol grip 34.

When the pistol grip 34 is connected to the rear of the receiver 12 by means of the adapters 54, 56 as described above, the concave surface 70 and the bulbous corner 72 of the cushioning insert 64 are tightly engaged with the curved rear portion of the trigger guard 18. In addition, the upper surfaces 74, 76 are tightly engaged with a bottom horizontally extending surface 92 (FIG. 4) on the rear end of the trigger guard housing 22. With this construction, the insert 64 completely and continuously cushions the trigger guard-pistol grip interface between a lower rearward end of the trigger guard 18 and the bottom portion 90 of pistol grip 34 as well as between the rearward end 92 of the trigger guard housing 22 and an upper end of wall 86 of the pistol grip 34. It should be appreciated that upon coupling of the pistol grip 34 to the receiver 12, the cushioning insert 64 supported on the pistol grip 34 is simultaneously engaged against a rear portion of the trigger guard 18 and against the bottom surface 92 of the trigger guard housing 22 which extends rearwardly of the trigger guard 18. The cushioning insert 64 when installed prevents contact between the pistol grip 34, the trigger guard 18 and the trigger guard housing 22.

The cushioning insert 64 retained in walls 84, 86 is designed for easy installation with the pistol grip 34 to provide a snug, cushioned fit with different trigger guard configurations. While the cushioning insert 64 may be compressed during one installation, it will expand to its original shape and size upon removal of the pistol grip 34 from receiver 12 and permit use of the pistol grip 34 with the cushioning insert 64 in other pistol grip replacement installations with different receivers.

The cushioning insert 64 is advantageous in stock replacement of firearms because it minimizes the need for close manufacturing tolerances between various trigger guards and pistol grip configurations. Use of the cushioning insert 64 prevents the creation of any gap between the pistol grip 34 and the trigger guard 18 and its housing 22 so that a shooter's fingers are not pinched or abraded dining firing of the shotgun 10. The insert 64 provides a cushioning effect with increased comfort and absorption of recoil forces during a firing operation. In addition, the shotgun 10 maintains a clean streamlined appearance with continuity in the trigger guard-pistol grip interface. As seen in FIG. 1, the cushioning insert 64 is substantially concealed from view when the pistol grip and the stock assembly 30 is mounted on the receiver 12.

Various alternatives are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter regarded as the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A firearm assembly comprising: a receiver having a trigger guard structure; a stock structure coupled to a rear portion of the receiver; and an insert positioned between the trigger guard structure and the stock structure for ensuring a tight fit and preventing contact therebetween.
 2. The firearm assembly of claim 1, wherein the insert is retained on the stock structure.
 3. The firearm assembly of claim 1, wherein the insert projects beyond the stock structure.
 4. The firearm assembly of claim 1, wherein the insert is comprised of a resilient cushioning material that extends upwardly and rearwardly along the trigger guard structure.
 5. The firearm assembly of claim 1, wherein the insert has a first upwardly extending leg and a second leg extending rearwardly therefrom.
 6. A firearm stock assembly adapted to be coupled to a receiver having a trigger guard structure, the stock assembly comprising: a pistol grip constructed with a housing portion and adapted to be coupled to the receiver; and a cushioning insert retained by the housing portion of the pistol grip and adapted to be positioned between the trigger guard structure and the housing portion of the pistol grip.
 7. The firearm stock assembly of claim 6, wherein the housing portion of the pistol grip includes a forwardly projecting first support wall and a second support wall recessed therefrom for receiving and supporting the cushioning insert.
 8. The firearm stock assembly of claim 6, wherein the cushion insert projects outwardly from the housing portion of the pistol grip.
 9. The firearm stock assembly of claim 6, wherein the cushioning insert extends upwardly and rearwardly along the first and second support walls.
 10. The firearm stock assembly of claim 6, wherein the pistol grip is attached to a stock and check rest assembly.
 11. A cushioning insert positioned between a trigger guard structure and a stock structure of a firearm assembly, the cushioning insert comprising: a body constructed from a resilient material and having a first generally vertically extending leg connected to a second generally horizontally extending leg, the first leg being engaged between a first portion of the trigger guard structure and a first portion of the stock structure, and the second leg being engaged between a second portion of the trigger guard structure and a second portion of the stock structure.
 12. The cushioning insert of claim 11, wherein the body is retained within and projects forwardly from the stock structure.
 13. The cushioning insert of claim 11, wherein the first leg has a front surface with a contour which matches a contour of and engages a rear portion of a trigger guard included in the trigger guard structure.
 14. The cushioning insert of claim 13, wherein the first leg and the second leg have a common upper surface which engages a rear portion of a trigger guard housing extending rearwardly of the trigger guard.
 15. The cushioning insert of claim 11, wherein the body has a rear surface which is continuously curved between a bottom end of the first leg and a rear end of the second leg.
 16. The cushioning insert of claim 15, wherein the rear surface of the body has a contour which matches a contour of a recessed support wall formed in the stock structure.
 17. The cushioning insert of claim 16, wherein the body is received and supported within a projecting support wall of the stock structure that extends forwardly from the recessed support wall of the stock structure.
 18. A method of assembling a firearm comprising the steps of: a) providing a receiver having a trigger guard structure; b) providing a stock structure having a cushioning insert retained therein; and c) coupling the receiver to the stock structure such that the cushioning insert is simultaneously positioned between the trigger guard structure and the stock structure.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein, in step c, the cushioning insert is engaged against a rear portion of a trigger guard of the trigger guard structure, and a bottom surface of a trigger guard housing of the trigger guard structure.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the stock structure includes a pistol grip. 